Do I Need to See a Doctor for a Sinus Infection?

When is it a cold—or a sinus infection?

If you’ve never had a sinus infection, they can come as quite the unpleasant surprise. But are sinus infections — also known as sinusitis — something to tackle at home with a little TLC, or is it best to seek a doctor’s care?

First, a quick rundown of common sinusitis symptoms:

Nasal congestion

Coughing or sneezing

Discolored nasal discharge (often thick and yellow)

Post-nasal drip

Headache or facial pain

Fever

Many of these symptoms are similar to cold symptoms. Common colds can progress into sinus infections, so if you have a cold that lingers for more than 10 days, you might have sinusitis.

So what about that doctor’s visit?

If you have any doubts about your health, it won’t hurt to check in with a doctor — even for something that might seem small.

With that in mind, here are some cases when it’s advised to talk with a doc:

You have a fever (fevers aren’t present with every sinus infection)

Your symptoms are severe

You have facial pain

Your upper teeth hurt

You have a headache that won’t go away with common pain relievers

You have a fever of 101°F or higher

You know you have a sinus infection, and antibiotics haven’t helped after three to five days

If you find out you have sinusitis, a doctor might recommend treatments like these:

Decongestants

Nasal spray or drops

Antibiotics

Pain relievers

Think you might have a sinus infection? Our expert team of NYC sinus doctors can offer personalized advice, so just give us a call if we can help.

While sustaining a broken nose is usually not life-threatening, it can be excruciating. Besides experiencing pain, you run the risk of facial disfigurement, and it can make breathing difficult. While read more...